Pacemakers

Question 1

What are some of the indications for a pacemaker?

Answer 1

symptomatic bradycardias
Mobitz type 2 AV block
Third degree heart block
severe heart failure
hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy

Question 2

Describe single chamber pace makers

Answer 2

either in the right atrium or right ventricle

Question 3

Describe dual chamber pacemakers

Answer 3

Leads in both the right atrium and right ventricle, this allows the pacemaker to synchronise the contractions

Question 4

Describe a biventricular (triple chamber) pacemaker

Answer 4

Leads in right atrium and both ventricles

Usually in patients with HF. Also called cardiac resynchronisation therapy (CRT) pacemakers

Question 5

Describe ICDs

Answer 5

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators continually monitor the heart and apply a shock to cardiovert the patient if they identify a shockable arrhythmia